When an outraged reader wrote Maura Kelly objecting to her Marie Claire piece “Should Fatties Get A Room (Even On TV)?” the author sent her a personalized apology.
We’re guessing Maura Kelly received a lot of emails like this one. Among other things, the reader wrote,
I am shocked and saddened by your blog post on ‘Fatties’ published this weak. Your apology was weak and your excuses were weaker. I beg you to do something, anything to make this right. Your followers deserve better and the readers of Marie Claire deserve better.
Given the volume we’re sure she was facing — and the magazine’s virtual silence on the subject — Kelly could easily have ignored the email. Instead, this is what she wrote.
Hi there-
I’m really sorry I hurt your feelings. I would never laugh at anyone, never ask anyone to leave a room or make them so uncomfortable that they felt like they had. Marie Claire didn’t ask me to apologize—I felt very strongly about doing it myself because I feel really sad that so many people took what I said so personally. I truly never imagined they would.
Again, I truly apologize.
-Maura
Does it undo the pain of the original piece? No. Did people “take what she said personally” or just, well, read a deeply offensive piece? In any case, it’s good to see someone taking some responsibility — especially when her editors, arguably equally culpable, seem to have effectively abdicated theirs. This is a flat-out apology, and that should never be dismissed. Now, if only her employers would follow her example, a lot of readers would feel like their opinions were heard and valued.
Related:
What Was Marie Claire Thinking With This “Fatties” Piece?
Marie Claire Responds To “Fatties” Controversy
Marie Claire’s Controversy Counterpoint
Watch the TV Clip of Two People Kissing That Has Marie Claire So Grossed Out
Protest At Marie Claire’s Offices
If You’re Fat-Phobic, You’re Also An Ignorant, Bigoted Idiot
Here’s A Question: Who The Hell Is The “Fatties” Editor?